# NTSB ERA09CA479: Jonker JS-1B, N504BT, Tullahoma, TN, August 23, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 23, 2009, 16:52 local (21:52 UTC) - Place: Tullahoma, TN - Coordinates: 35.380279, -86.246391 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3803&lon=-86.2464&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 29, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74588 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA479 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74588/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74588 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA479 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain a proper glidepath while on approach, resulting in landing short of the runway. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Jonker Sailplanes CC JS 1B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=056280S), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Jonker Sailplanes CC JS 1B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056280S), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: sudden wind shift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Jonker Sailplanes CC JS 1B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md?model=056280S), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500); cases with it: [Jonker Sailplanes CC JS 1B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=056280S), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Jonker Sailplanes CC JS 1B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=056280S), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Jonker Sailplanes CC JS 1B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=056280S), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot had completed his first flight in his newly purchased glider earlier in the day. He stated that the flight lasted about 2.3 hours and was "an absolute pleasure." A witness familiar with the make and model of the accident glider had flown alongside the accident pilot in an identical glider during the flight, and stated that the accident pilot's takeoff, flight, and landing were "textbook examples." During the second flight of the day, the accident pilot was towed to 1,000 feet above ground level for the purpose of making a traffic pattern flight with a subsequent landing. The pilot stated that the downwind leg of the traffic pattern turning to the base leg was "high." The pilot applied full flaps, and stated that on the final leg of the traffic pattern, his sight picture was "still high," and the runway was "easily made." The pilot's sight picture then "quickly" changed to "short of the runway," and he realized he would not clear the trees prior to the runway. The pilot pitched up to avoid the trees, and after clearing them, "unloaded the wings" and "dived" into a parking lot. The glider impacted the parking lot and came to rest after the left wing impacted a tree. The glider sustained substantial damage to the left wing and vertical stabilizer. Neither the pilot nor a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, who examined the glider after the accident, reported any mechanical malfunctions or anomalies. Several witnesses on the ground reported a noticeable subsidence of wind while the glider was on the final leg of the traffic pattern. The nearest weather reporting station, located approximately 50 miles northwest of the accident site, reported winds from 320 degrees at 10 knots at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative The pilot had completed his first flight in his newly purchased glider earlier in the day. He stated that the flight lasted about 2.3 hours and was "an absolute pleasure." A witness familiar with the make and model of the accident glider had flown alongside the accident pilot in an identical glider during the flight, and stated that the accident pilot's takeoff, flight, and landing were "textbook examples." During the second flight of the day, the accident pilot was towed to 1,000 feet above ground level for the purpose of making a traffic pattern flight with a subsequent landing. The pilot stated that the downwind leg of the traffic pattern turning to the base leg was "high." The pilot applied full flaps, and stated that on the final leg of the traffic pattern, his sight picture was "still high," and the runway was "easily made." The pilot's sight picture then "quickly" changed to "short of the runway," and he realized he would not clear the trees prior to the runway. The pilot pitched up to avoid the trees, and after clearing them, "unloaded the wings" and "dived" into a parking lot. The glider impacted the parking lot and came to rest after the left wing impacted a tree. The glider sustained substantial damage to the left wing and vertical stabilizer. Neither the pilot nor a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, who examined the glider after the accident, reported any mechanical malfunctions or anomalies. Several witnesses on the ground reported a noticeable subsidence of wind while the glider was on the final leg of the traffic pattern. The nearest weather reporting station, located approximately 50 miles northwest of the accident site, reported winds from 320 degrees at 10 knots at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N504BT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N504BT-2010-03-03), registration cancelled 2010-03-03, S/N 1B-004, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Jonker JS-1B - Registry model: [Jonker Sailplanes CC JS 1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/jonker-sailplanes-cc-js-1b) (registry code 056280S) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 1B-004 - Airframe hours: 122 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Barton L. Tate - Registered owner: Barton L. Tate - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, August 19, 2009 - Departed: THA, Tullahoma, TN - Destination: THA, Tullahoma, TN - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: THA, Tullahoma Regional, runway 36, 5,002 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 30, 2009; seat: single; flight hours: 5,705 total, 3 in this make and model, 5,463 as pilot in command, 394 in the last 90 days, 61 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: BNA, 49 nm away ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 15, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74588. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 713 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40319265&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 19 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40319263&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 3, .PDF, 84 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40319276&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statements (item 4, .PDF, 202 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40319372&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Redacted.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.